In short: Enjoyable eventIn full: I too think some of the feedback has been a bit harsh here, yes there were a few minor issues, but certainly wouldn't put me off of coming back. How can anyone complain about value?? A t-shirt for £3, plenty of food and drink and even got a free running bottle! I do agree that a few more loos are required, but thats hardly a major problem. Some sort of start pens wouldn't be a bad idea with that many runners, even if it is just a couple of people with 1:30/1:40 signs, nothing worse than having to run on the verge to avoid people who have started too far forward! My only other minor gripe was the first turnaround point where the marshal was sending people down the left side of the road returning down the right, meaning we then had to cross the stream of runners, clearly the right side would be better! Finish was fine, jaffas and fig rolls were a nice touch. All in all, a good race.Date of review: March 9, 2015

In short: Perhaps some balance required...In full: Okay, so I've read a number of the other reviews and think there's definitely a lack of balance to some of them, so a few points from me. This is the third time I've done the Half event here, and as this is the first time the 20 miler has been held its unsurprising there were a few snags... However...

1) The course - still as quick as ever, although three 180 degrees around cones does make this a bit slower than in previous years. Obvious split between the half and 20 mile courses at 6.5 miles in. I can't really see what else the marshals could have done to stop slower joggers doing so on the opposite side of the road from what they were asked. On the out and back sections there were a number of poorly behaved middle of the pack runners forcing the quicker runners into single file and into potholes. Again, not much organisers could've done, but maybe if you're middle of the pack on a country road, don't run four abreast? Common sense really.

2) Not too sure what else people want at the finish of a very reasonably priced race? Water, Jaffa cakes, fig roles, a customised medal, a technical tshirt for £3, some fruity juice... Would rather exactly that than a bag of rubbish and a higher entry fee!

3) Start of race was delayed by about 10 minutes as a runners car had blocked the ambulance in. Sensible decision to do so. Runners were asked not to park on Dennes Lane and did anyway, despite a signposted car park and many backstreets in the town. The start was more sensible on the road than on the field previously, perhaps runners should be asked to line up earlier as a lot of runners left it late and held up the start further. There were at least 10 portaloos between 800 runners, I can't understand anyone starting to queue less than 30 minutes before the start of a race, but 1 loo between 80 sounds sensible to me?

4) noticed the emergency response vehicles with aerials again - this is good to see!

5) I also liked the mixing of race distances - made the race much more interesting than previous years as Was nice and talkative even near the front!

All in all, the addition of the extra race was a good call and gives new variety to the Sussex calendar. Yes, it needs a little polish, but lessons will unquestionably be learnt and no-one should be put off in future - this is a great race which I always enjoy - a nice, low key, start to the half marathon season.Date of review: March 8, 2015

In short: Poor organsation, but pancake flat courseIn full: The poor organisation, let this race down, it was poor start to finish. There was not enough toilets and people having trouble getting to the start due to the number of runners, on a country road with cars parked by other runners not helping, but they could of put more cones out to improve this. While the course is pancake flat, due to the location is likely to be windy like it was today, but n a good day could be very fast. The organisation out on the course was poor to say the least. Runners going both way up country lanes and then fast and slow runners crossing and cutting each other up to cross over due to turns in the course and water stations. One of the water station was only on one side of the road this leading to fast runners on one side of the road being cut up by other crossing the road to get to the water station, if it had been on both sides of the road this would have solved this problem. Like others said I saw runners taking the wrong turn to the finish and the finishing area was too tight, with very little room. There seemed to be a lack of marshals at the start, finish area and out on the course, but a big thank you for all those who helped out on the day.Date of review: March 8, 2015

In short: Good route but a shambles In full: I ran this last year and enjoyed the PB potential. Learned the lesson about water last year when they ran out and took my own. This year there were far more entrants and the organisation seemed to collapse. Surprising for a 'professionally' organised event. The bag drop and loo queue merged and there was an absence of adequate security on the bags. One poor lady trying to manage several hundred bags. At the end people were just wandering and helping the self. The brownies were encouraging but there appeared to be an absence of marshalling support on the route. Crossing in front of fast runners to the left and then the right - what was that all about? I bet they were not pleased! The medal finish lacked marshals with some runners running in through the wrong gate and onlookers guiding them through. I really want to be balanced in my feedback. Weather was glorious and there were very few cars. If you are considering this race you need to be prepared to support yourself on the way around. Thanet 20 next year for me. Date of review: March 8, 2015

In short: Poor organisation let down the raceIn full: Almost missed the start due to the outrageous toilet queues.. Very few marshals ( don't know how they would handle an injury?) and I have a real big bear about water in cups.. For a half and 20 mile race it's just not enough.. Despite this i might do again as it's a flat courseDate of review: March 8, 2015

In short: Nice run in the countryside where organisation could and should have been betterIn full: I have been running for around 18 months now and this was my second half marathon and my sixth organised race. The positives of this race are,- Pancake flat route and providing the wind is kind is a PB course- Nice countryside settingNegatives are,- Terrible organisation. The start of the race was awful, way too many people crammed into a tight country road with cars parked on either side.- I know this is picky but the course was 13.23 miles, not 13.1. - No goody bag at the end just a cup of water and a choice of figs rolls and Jaffa cakes. Medal was ok. I did not do the race for the goody bad but this was the worst I have had. - Finish of the race was not clearly marked- Not enough toilets for the amount of runners on the day.

For all the negatives I would still do the race again the overall experience could have just been so much better with a bit more thought and organisation.

In short: The cub scouts could have organised a better race!In full: This had potential to be a fast, rewarding race but it was soon clear the organisation was lacking. Bag drop was all over the place and at the end people were just wandering through to pick up their bags with no security at all. Marshals were u engaged and few and far between. The 'goodies' at the end of the race were a cup of water and 2 Jaffa cakes. Really disappointed with nice works. For a professional race this was very disappointing. Date of review: March 8, 2015